29 U.S. states set 2012 export records

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The U.S. Commerce Department on Tuesday released data showing that 29 states set new records for export sales in 2012.
In total, 35 states achieved merchandise export growth in 2012, and 20 of those states experienced growth of at least 5 percent or more, the department said.
Total merchandise exports from all 50 states helped contribute to the record-setting value of goods and services exports in 2012, which reached $2.2 trillion. Nationally, jobs supported by exports increased to 9.8 million in 2012, up 1.3 million since 2009.
“The increase in state exports in 2012 demonstrates that U.S. businesses are carving out a new global market share for their innovative products and services, despite facing economic headwinds worldwide,” said U.S. Deputy Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank in a statement.
Eleven states achieved double-digit export growth in 2012 compared to 2011. They include New Mexico (+42 percent), Arkansas (+36 percent), Nevada (+28 percent), North Dakota (+26 percent), West Virginia (+26 percent), Washington (+17 percent), Wyoming (+17 percent), Louisiana (+15 percent), Michigan (+12 percent), Colorado (+11 percent), and Kentucky (+10 percent.)
“These 11 states provided an extra boost to United States exports, with states such as New Mexico ramping up its export sales to its largest market, Israel, by 193 percent. Arkansas increased exports to its fourth leading market, France, by 117 percent. Colorado also boasted a 63 percent leap in exports to Brazil, as well as 20 percent growth in exports to Turkey. Exports from West Virginia to South Korea increased 61 percent,” Commerce said.
Nationwide, 2012 U.S. merchandise exports to countries with which the United States has a trade agreement outpaced other markets nearly two to one. This included exports to Oman (+22 percent), Panama (+20 percent), Costa Rica (+19 percent), Chile (+18 percent), Jordan (+18 percent), Colombia (+14 percent), Australia (+13 percent), Peru (+12 percent), and Mexico (+9 percent).
More information about individual state contributions to national exports is available through the International Trade Administration’s Office of Trade and Industry Information Website.